Lee Petty (42), driving an Oldsmobile, and Johnny Beauchamp (73), driving a Thunderbird, were neck and neck on the last lap of the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959, but Petty nosed out Beauchamp at the finish line. AP

Former Miss USA Diana Batts, of Washington, D.C., gives a big kiss to Mario Andretti after he won the 1967 Daytona 500. Andretti remains the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), Daytona 500 (1967) and the Formula One World Championship (1978). AP

A.J. Foyt gets a big kiss from Union 76 Racestopper Cheryl Johnson after winning the 1972 Daytona 500. Foyt is the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500 (which he won four times), the Daytona 500, the 24 Hours of Daytona, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. AP

Cale Yarborough, right, kicks and pushes Bobby Allison, center, who is catching his leg as Donnie Allison, left, tries to pull his brother free from the fight which started after Yarborough collided with Donnie on the last lap of the 1979 Daytona 500. Ric Feld, AP

Bobby Allison, right, celebrates his victory in the 1988 Daytona 500 by pouring a Miller beer over the head of his son Davey Allison, who he beat in an emotional finish. Davey Allison won the 1992 race, while Bobby Allison also won in 1982 and 1978. Dozier Mobley, Getty Images

Darrell Waltrip celebrates his lone Daytona 500 title by performing the "Ickey Shuffle," a dance created by NFL player Ickey Woods, after winning the 1989 Great American Race. RacingOne ISC Archives via Getty Images

Crew members line up along pit road to congratulate Dale Earnhardt as the NASCAR legend finally wins his first Daytona 500 in 1998, 20 years after his first Daytona 500 start in 1979. Roger Simms, Daytona Beach News-Journal via AP

Dale Earnhardt (3) hits the wall after getting hit by Ken Schrader (36) during the 2001 Daytona 500. Earnhardt died as a result of the crash that stands as one of the most horrific moments in NASCAR history. Bob Sweeten, AP

Shortly after winning the 2001 Daytona 500, Michael Waltrip talks about the death of friend and competitor Dale Earnhardt, who died after crashing on the last lap. Waltrip would have a chance to better celebrate after winning the 2003 Daytona 500. Terry Renna, AP

Two-time Daytona 500 champion Sterling Marlin gets a reprimand from a track official after he tried to pull a bent piece of sheet metal away from his tire during a red-flag stop in the 2002 race. Marlin's gaffe will forever be part of NASCAR's lore, with some saying his illegal attempt to fix his car under the red flag cost him a victory. Dow Graham, AP

Crew members converge on Dale Earnhardt Jr., left, at the start-finish line after he won the 2004 Daytona 500, three years after his father died as a result of a last-lap crash in the 2001 event. Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images

Workers repair damage to the track as a result of a pothole in Turn 2 on lap 122 during the 2010 Daytona 500. The race was red-flagged for almost two hours before Jamie McMurray eventually won. Jerry Markland, Getty Images for NASCAR

Safety workers clean up the track with Tide laundry detergent after a jet-fueled track dryer burst into flames when it was struck by Juan Pablo Montoya's car under caution during the 2012 Daytona 500. John Harrelson, Getty Images for NASCAR